GAME RECAPS 10/17/24

MISSISSIPPI SEA WOLVES at BATON ROUGE ZYDECO


Zydeco Big Winner on Opening Night


by Andy Poetzinger


Baton Rouge, LA -  Opening night for the new look Baton Rouge Zydeco was everything they could have ever wished for. An excellent showing up and down the lineup led the Zydeco to a 10-1 rout of the Mississippi Sea Wolves.


The onslaught started just 29 seconds into the opening frame. Kevin Szabad started the scoring for the Zydeco with a backhander that found its way underneath the blocker of Greg Hussey. Following up four minutes later was Matthew Gordon as he received a feed from Dmitry Kuznetsov and fired one home to give the Zydeco a 2 goal lead. Ryan Kleber finished up the first period scoring for the Zydeco on the powerplay as he snuck one through the five-hole to give the Zydeco a 3-0 advantage. 


The Sea Wolves answered back with only 32 seconds remaining in the period to cut the lead to 3-1, but that would be the closest the Sea Wolves would get to the Zydeco.


A sloppy 2nd period on both sides meant less opportunities, but the Zydeco were able to break the scoring all due to a great forecheck from Shane Haggerty to win the puck away from his man, found Elijah Wilson in front who didn’t miss. Haggerty then joined the fray by scoring his own goal on the powerplay with a neat redirect in the slot. That spelled the end of the night for Greg Hussey who was replaced by newcomer Tatsunoshin Ishida. 


The 3rd period was something of a nightmare for the Sea Wolves. What could go wrong absolutely did, and it all started with a goal off the stick of their own defenseman into an open net. The Zyedco kept piling it on, scoring two more times in a two and a half minute span with goals from Jake Cox and Tyler Larwood. Declan Conway and Narek Aleksanyen finished the scoring for Baton Rouge as they put up a 10 spot on the Sea Wolves. 


Aside from the goal scoring, overall gameplay looked great from Baton Rouge. They were extremely structured all the way around, and special teams looked great as well. The Zydeco ended up 2/5 on the powerplay and were brilliant on the PK going 4/4 and not allowing much opportunity for the Sea Wolves to get much of anything set up.


Bailey Stephens finished the night making 14 saves on 15 shots, while Tatsunoshin Ishida in relief saw 18 shots and stopped 13 of them. 


These two teams faceoff again tomorrow night at 7:05 right back here at the Raising Cane’s River Center. 



Zydeco March Over Sea Wolves, 10-1


by Jon Kliment


Baton Rouge, LA -  Mississippi and Baton Rouge will do battle 13 times this season so it was only fitting they started the season against each other on night one. Baton Rouge had taken 6 of the last 7 matchups last season and the Sea Wolves looked to kick off 2024-2025 differently. 


The first period looked very similar to the previous season as just 29 seconds in Kevin Szabed scored on an odd angle shot to beat Gregg Hussey to give the Zydeco a 1-0 lead. 4:02 later on a pass from former Sea Wolf Dmitry Kuznetsov Matthew Gordon buried one to make it 2-0. Baton Rouge continued to pour on when on the power play Narek Aleksyanen on another pass from Kuznetsov made it a three goal lead. However, the Sea Wolves Kyle Russell was able to find the back of the net beating Bailey Stephens five hole with just 32 seconds to go in the period to bring Mississippi back to within two. 


Despite a stronger start to the period the Sea Wolves still couldn't find the back of the net as the Zydeco continued to push the pressure as Elijah Wislon scored 6:43 into the second frame before Shane Haggerty netted Baton Rouge's second power play goal of the night for a 5-1 lead after two.


Unfortunately for the Sea Wolves there was no comeback to be had as the Zydeco posted five more goals in the third to give Baton Rouge a 10-1 win off goals from Wilson, Jake Cox, Tyler Larwood, Declan Conway, and Narek Aleksyanen. 


Greg Hussey stopped 21 of 26 in the loss while Tatsunoshin stopped 13 of 18 in his first FPHL appearance.


The Sea Wolves are back at it tomorrow night from the Raising Canes River Center as the rematch gets underway 24 hours from now. Follow along on Youtube and on Mixlr!